New York, January 28, 2026, 04:54 EST — Premarket
- Corning’s rally is gaining steam, fueled by strong AI data-center demand
- Wall Street wants specifics on when the Meta deal will unfold, along with margins and spending plans linked to the pact
- Corning is set to report before the open; Meta will release earnings after the close
Corning shares jumped roughly 6% in early premarket action following Tuesday’s 15.6% rally, as investors digested a multiyear fiber-optic supply deal with Meta Platforms. All eyes now turn to Corning’s quarterly report, set for release later this morning.
The deal is significant because it connects Corning’s optical segment straight to a massive near-term spending area in U.S. tech: artificial intelligence data center expansion. Plus, it’s a rare long-term contract, with payments set to continue through 2030.
The clock is ticking. Corning will report fourth-quarter results at 8:30 a.m. ET, while Meta plans to release its earnings after the market closes and hold a call later today. Investors are focused on both for clues about changes in data-center expansion and the scale of spending behind it.
On Tuesday, Corning and Meta announced a deal valued at up to $6 billion. Corning will provide optical fiber, cable, and connectivity products, while boosting manufacturing in North Carolina. The expansion includes a significant capacity increase at Corning’s Hickory optical cable plant, where Meta will serve as the anchor customer. Corning CEO Wendell Weeks emphasized the deal’s role in “strengthening domestic supply chains.” Corning
Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, emphasized that constructing advanced U.S. data centers “requires world-class partners and American manufacturing.” He described the deal as a key move in the company’s effort to develop AI infrastructure using domestically produced components. About Facebook
The market was already on edge when the move happened. U.S. stocks closed mixed Tuesday as investors digested a packed earnings calendar and the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. Corning stood out as one of the top gainers during the session.
Not everyone agreed with the scale of the surge. A Morgan Stanley analyst described the stock’s jump as “seemingly overdone,” saying the Meta contract boosts longer-term earnings prospects but, by itself, justified only a more modest rise. TipRanks
Corning has surged sharply this year, climbing over 80% in 2025 and hitting prices not seen since the dot-com boom. Though most recognize it for Gorilla Glass, the recent spike comes from its optical equipment that shuttles data within and between data centers.
Analysts expect revenue around $4.37 billion this quarter, with adjusted earnings near 71 cents per share, according to a StockStory preview. All eyes will be on the guidance — specifically if management offers any figures or timelines regarding the Meta work.
Meta shares held steady in recent trading, with other connectivity and optical-related stocks like Amphenol, TE Connectivity, and Ciena also seeing gains.
There’s a catch—and it’s significant: the deal is “up to” $6 billion, but early disclosures reveal scant details on pricing or the pace of volume growth. Investors also face the risk that aggressive buildouts might pull demand forward—and a slowdown in Big Tech capital spending could quickly impact suppliers. The Wall Street Journal
Corning is set to report earnings before the U.S. market opens today. Investors will focus on how the firm links its 2026 outlook to AI-driven optical demand and the latest Meta deal.
